City were always in the driving seat in their 4-3 win Women’s Super League win away to Reading, despite a late fightback from the hosts, according to Nikita Parris.

But a Fara Williams penalty and Kirsty Pearce’s close-range 87th minute effort made for a nervy final few minutes for the travelling City faithful.

Nonetheless, Parris believes her teammates weren’t phased by Reading’s late rally: “We were in control - there was just a lapse in concentration to be fair in the goals, but we got the result.

“I thought we played unbelievably to come from 1-0 down to win 4-3.”

The forward’s 40-minute treble - courtesy of three clinical finishes inside the box - and nice linkup play for what proved to be Stokes’ winner, also capped off an incredible individual performance for Parris.

And while taking pride from her rich vein of form in front of goal, she was also keen to emphasise that she wouldn’t be sitting back and basking in her achievements.

Women's Team

Gemma Bonner has enjoyed an unforgettable few weeks for Club and country.

The defender, who joined City last summer from Liverpool, helped the Blues to Continental Cup Final success to lift her first piece of silverware with Nick Cushing’s side, before then jetting off to America to aid England’s historic SheBelieves Cup triumph.